Base this Picasso activity on "Bust of a Woman with a Hat," which depicts a woman with skewed facial features. Locate an online or print copy of the painting to show students while explaining Picasso's abstract style and tendency during one period of his career, to disfigure facial features by relocating them around the head.
Give each student six pieces of paper no larger than 3-inches by 5-inches. Have students draw one facial feature---eyes, ears, nose, mouth---on each piece of paper. Collect all the drawings then shuffle them. Give each student six facial features. Have students cut out the facial features, then glue them onto a large piece of paper, using a pencil to add the head, hair, neck, eyebrows and any other details to complete the picture.
Base this self-portrait activity on "Portrait de Jacqueline de Face, II" which depicts an abstract face divided between light and dark sides. The Picasso example features an abstract, monochromatic color scheme. The activity uses a cool and warm color scheme with one side of the face realistic and one side abstract. Have students outline a basic head and neck shape in pencil with no features. Students then draw each side of the face separately using any media. Draw one side of the face in warm colors of reds, oranges and yellows using a realistic style such as DaVinci might have used. Draw the other half of the face in cool colors of blues, greens and purples using an abstract style such as Picasso might have used. The contrast of the two vastly different facial halves in one self-portrait creates a striking and fun art project.
Picasso's "The Three Musicians" provides the basis for this cubism-style painting. After viewing Picasso's painting, discuss the cubism style with students explaining that it involves drawing all objects in their most basic, geometric shapes. Explain that cubism-styled work does not appear realistic.
Have students sketch simple pencil outlines of three people doing something in motion, such as playing a sport or dancing. Students then study their outlines to determine what geometric shapes can be found in the objects they drew. Students might need to refer to Picasso's example for help in identifying shapes that exist in their work. They then should begin to fill out their drawing outlines with geometric shapes. Color or paint the pictures in bright colors such as Picasso used.
Use Picasso's "The Gourmet" or "Tragedy" for a discussion of color values and the emotion they bring to a work of art. Discuss the sad feeling that color choice gave to these paintings. Note that the paintings use a monochromatic color scheme, and explain to students that mostly one color, blue, mixed with white and black, was used to create all the various tints and tones in the painting.
Give students blue, white and black paint, then allow time for them to practice creating tints and tones of blue on a pallet. Students can then sketch a picture using pencil. Tell them the subject matter should be sad, lonely or troubled. Paint the sketch using only the tints and tones of blue. You might add one other color to their pallet as an accent color, but keep the pallet minimal to produce the best results.